Can hair be too long for waxing?

The hair removal method favoured by so many of us isn't just a matter of spread 'n' strip. A good wax - whether you do it yourself or trust a pro - requires proper prep and aftercare. Minimise mistakes, give your pain threshold a rest and avoid the ingrown hangovers of waxing with these expert tips.

SALON-WAXING

Chloe Scriminger, UK trainer at the Ministry of Waxing, identifies these waxing no-nos to keep you salon savvy:

1. Trimming too short

"Most women worry about their hair being too long for a wax and will trim beforehand but the problem is they sometimes take that hair too short for us to be able to grip the hair and wax. Hair must be at least 6mm in length, or a good two weeks growth from a previous shave. At Ministry of Waxing we always trim our clients beforehand we have specialised sanitised bikini scissors."

2. Drinking caffeine or alcohol before a wax

"While having a couple of glasses of wine before getting waxed sounds like a great idea, stimulants in the system can cause skin to be extra sensitive to waxing."

3. Not following correct aftercare

"For the following 24 hours after a wax a client must not;

Have a hot bath (any extreme temperature on the skin will cause a reaction)

Swim or sunbathe (chlorine and suntan lotion will irritate the open hair follicles)

Wear tight clothing (skin needs to breathe after waxing, if tight clothing is worn the skin may perspire, blocking the hair follicles with bacteria)

Use perfumed products including deodorant, self-tanner or makeup (these can irritate the open hair follicles)

Touch, scrub or rub the area (this could cause a bacterial infection)"

4. Not waxing regularly enough

"The first time a client has a wax it might feel more uncomfortable because the hair has been in the dermis for a while, hair is nourished by blood and the longer you leave it in-between waxes the stronger the hair gets. Regularly waxing the hair makes it more comfortable and breaks down the density of the hair leaving you with finer terminal hair."

AT-HOME WAXING

The experts at Parissa, the natural hair removal brand have these top tips:

5. Waxing in the wrong direction

"Zip-off strip in the opposite direction of hair growth. Always remove in one quick, swift motion parallel to your skin. The quicker the strip is removed, the better the results. Keep skin taut at all times to minimise discomfort."

6. Not re-using your wax strips

"The same strip can be used several times."

7. Cleaning your skin beforehand

"Your skin oils create a natural buffer between the wax and your skin. If you've just bathed or cleaned your skin, apply talc powder sparingly to the area. The powder will act as a buffer to minimise discomfort."

Waxing expert Otylia Roberts who introduced 'the Brazilian' bikini wax into the UK, adds:

8. Choosing an unflattering shape for hair down there

"A strip shape is more suited to slim women but for ladies with wider hips, a triangle shape is probably more flattering."

9. Forgetting to exfoliate to avoid ingrown hairs

"Regularly exfoliate and moisturise the skin to encourage hairs to grow through properly. Use a good quality post waxing treatment like an after wax oil."

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Bridget March Bridget March is Bazaar's Digital Beauty Director overseeing all beauty content, including wellbeing.

In general, hair has to be about ¼" long for wax to be able to grab onto it. If it's not long enough, then you (or your technician) may not be able to remove it, especially if it's thick. Does that mean you should wait until it's really long for your next wax? Not at all. In fact, it can make getting a good wax way harder. If hair is 1/2" long or longer, you may run into some real problems.

When you try to wax long hair, there's more of a chance long hair will break either below or above the skin's surface. Both of these are bad outcomes; either the hair will be visible sooner, or you may risk the chance of getting ingrown hairs. It's also probable that not all the hair will be removed, because when the wax is applied, it pushes hair down flat against your skin. If some of the long hair covers some hair underneath, it won't be coated in enough wax to be removed. It may also hurt a little bit more the longer and thicker it is.

You can avoid some of these problems by simply taking off some length. Naturally, you don't want to make it too short. The best thing to do is use hair clippers with a guard attachment that will quickly trim it to an even ¼" long before waxing. Whatever you do, don't use scissors—you run the risk of cutting some hair too short.

License and skill don't always go hand in hand. A good technician will be fast (so there's less pain), hold skin taut so there's less pulling, and use the right amount of wax and type of wax for your particular hair type and skin. Waxing is painful, but there are steps that can be taken to make you more comfortable, and your technician should be taking them without prompting.

Opt for a shower post-wax instead of a hot bath. Soaking in water may cause unnecessary irritation or lead to bacteria entering open pores.

If you're waxing at home, be realistic about the fact that you're not a professional and there are limitations to what you can and should do, when it comes to waxing. There are places you shouldn't wax on your own, and if you don't want to go to a professional, you can shave it. Be aware that the steps in place for waxing are there for a reason. Not properly prepping your skin, applying too much wax, or removing hair the wrong way may cause bruising, irritation, and breakage.

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

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